Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority officials said they have closed on more than $1 billion in federal loans that will go toward the construction of Phase 2 of Metro’s Silver Line.
In May, MWAA was approved for the $1.28 billion U.S. Department of Transportation ‘Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act‘ (TIFIA) loan to cover the portion of the Silver Line funded by revenue from the Dulles Toll Road.
Overall, the project is expecting $1.9 billion in TIFIA loans, with the remaining portion to come when partners Fairfax County and Loudoun County finalize their segments of the loan, MWAA said. The counties should finalize their loans by this fall. The Airports Authority will be able to begin drawing on its portion of the loan once all closings are final.
“The Airports Authority and our project partners made securing a low-interest TIFIA loan a top priority, because of the financial benefits it offered to the Dulles Toll Road users and taxpayers,” an MWAA spokesman said in a statement. “Thanks to the favorable interest rates the loan provides, as well as the financial commitment from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Airports Authority will be able to hold tolls at current levels through 2018 and limit future toll increases.”
Earlier this year, it appeared the TIFIA funds could be in danger as the federal highway trust fund, which funds the loan, was bordering on bankruptcy.
Last week, President Barack Obama signed into law $10.8 billion in temporary funding for highway and transit construction. That will keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent through May, when lawmakers will have to again find longer-term funding.
Phase I of the Silver Line project opened to the public on July 26. It has five stops in Tysons Corner and one at Reston’s Wiehle Avenue, which will be the end of the line until at least 2018. The $2.9 billion Phase II will have stops at Reston Parkway, Herndon, Route 28, Dulles International Airport and Ashburn. Design planning has begun and Phase II is projected to open in 2018.
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The Ravel Dance Studio will re-open for fall classes 2020. The school will offer in person and virtual online instruction. With over 5000 sq. ft. to social distance the school has added air ionization filtration systems, ballet barres, acrylic dividers, hands free bathrooms, strict monitoring and more.
The Ravel Dance Studio will produce a Nutcracker Ballet Hollywood style video through the Reston Community CenterStage. REGISTRATION online begins August 17.
Chris Green is one of the DMV’s finest fitness instructors. A Lululemon and South Block ambassador, he is a coach and mentor to so many. He embodies grace, positivity and motivation in ways that no one else can. If we could all learn a thing or two from him, the world would be a much better place. He does so much for others, and does so with a smile on his face 99% of the time.
He recently ruptured his Achilles and has an incredibly long and tough journey ahead. As if COVID hadn’t impacted fitness professionals enough, throw this in the mix and it’s a double, even triple whammy. CG is no longer able to work and do what he loves for the time being because of this and we’d love your support.
